Our playrooms are large and fluid. There are accesses built from all sides. Our dogs play all day with the exception of naptime. Naptime is from 12-2 and is necessary to keep the dogs healthy and happy. Most of our dogs are used to 12+ hours of sleeping not 12+ hours of a very active daycare. Giving them a nap in the middle of the day, in their own safe space allows them to get into a deep restorative sleep. Small dogs have their own space both inside and out to play. Older and more mellow dogs can benefit from this area as it has 1/2 inch thick black rubber matting. We have taken every precaution with our small dog area including putting extra piping in between gates to ensure there are no gaps large enough for escape.

There are six oversized garage doors throughout the building that we open every single day to create air flow and access to the outside. We have three separate large HVAC units. We have huge wall fans that blow air in and force air out in addition to ceiling fans. During nice weather these doors stay open most of the day. During very hot or very cold weather they are opened at least twice a day just to ensure proper air flow. The dogs almost always have access to the outside as we leave a pedestrian door ajar. We have air conditioning for very hot days and have five 5 x 10 foot shade sails that we hang outside. There is a large tree to the south that provides shade.

We strive to train your dog on how to better behave in doggie society and, even more important, HUMAN society. While it may sound silly there are very specific techniques that we use that make our daycare special. Our staff is long term. We train our employees in the art of reading a dog. Every single staff member is required to not only know every single dog, every single day-they are also required to know their personalities and the idiosyncracies that make them special.

As with a childs daycare routine is extremely important. The dogs know when things will happen and they are used to the handlers that are working with them them. Our dogs are required to find and maintain their manners. We do not allow barking. Constant, excessive barking is not normal dog behavior. It is highly stressed and aroused behavior and is not conducive to calm and enriching play. Stressed dogs are more likely to develop colds. We do not allow jumping, mounting, rough play, body slamming or extreme chasing although we frequently place our highest energy dogs in the "Driveway Pen" which can be viewed on the cameras for fast paced, rousing games of throwing the ball. As an example of the in depth training we frequently do; the dogs allowed in these high energy playgroups are screened and must be polite or they are not allowed to play. Polite means not barking, not snapping, not biting or growling and coming if called. Running, tearing, chasing and jumping are allowed. Not allowing them to play if they misbehave (separating them from the group and even a time out if they start barking) trains them to contain themselves the next time. We have these high energy groups every day so it usually only takes a few times losing their chance before they get with the program. As you can see dogs that love the snow are allowed to go outside as long as it's not actively snowing a very wet, heavy flake. We wouldn't want them to get too wet and then get chilled. Short haired dogs are encouraged to wear coats but can stay inside if they show no interest in playing in the snow. When it is below zero weather dogs are allowed outside 5-10 minutes at a time once an hour. Arctic dogs like Huskies are allowed to go out to play if they seem interested.

We have LOTS of toys for the dogs to play with. We train the dogs to play properly with the toys and sometimes the process is long. We take the toys away from the dog, we may give time outs. We may do name recalls (dog must come and sit by our side). They may have to do the "Walk of Shame" and be on leash walking next to a handler unable to participate in play. The horror!!!! In the summer we have swimming pools and water hoses out every day. We are able to dump our pools multiple times a day and refill with clean, fresh water. This "Gray Water" drains out into the front of the building and into a retaining area in the front where we are always in the process of adding plants. Feel free to take seeds if you like!!

Overnight Boarding

Our boarding guests must fulfill the same requirements as the day care dogs. Boarding here is tons of fun. Your dog will be able to run around and play with other dogs and staff members for most of the day. Overnight space is limited so make sure to book well in advance of a trip.

Drop off times: Any time EXCEPT between 12 and 2. Please, PLEASE try to get your boarder to the daycare as early as possible. He/she will have a much better night if they have a full day of play. They will eat better and sleep better and we dont charge any different if you come in early vs late!!

Pick up times: You may pick up at any time except between 12 and 2. If you pick up after 9AM you will be charged for an additional day of daycare.

While dogs are pack animals they also like to have their own special "den". Our overnight guests are crated in Great Dane sized crates at night. It is a nice quiet place for retreat after a long day of play. We have classical music, soft rock or jazz playing all the time. We will keep your dog in the same crate each night they are here and we ask you to bring their beds and a soft plush toy for them to snuggle with (if they won't kill it). For our largest of large breed dogs we have giant 6 foot by 7 foot enclosures. Irish Wolfhounds, Mastiffs and very tall Great Danes are more than comfortable. Many even bring toddler sized mattresses, futons, etc for them to sleep on. We feed all giants elevated. Multiple dog families can sleep together. We have a few customers with three and four dogs that love sleeping together in the pens. We are still able to feed separate and the price is $5 more per night on top of regular boarding charges. (Not per dog, just for the pen).

We have a house brand food that we can feed to your dog ($2.50 per meal) but we prefer for you to bring their own food. This will limit bouts of upset tummy. We are very happy to accommodate dogs that require special medical needs such as insulin shots or unusual feeding (BARF, Raw, etc). Just let us know your dog's special situation and we will strive to meet it!

We are on the cutting edge of security for our overnight guests here at Mile High Mutts. Our location is equipped with an alarm system that features glass break, fire and motion sensors. We have multiple camera's throughout the location that record onto a DVR system. These camera's are running 24 hours per day and can be accessed within seconds of a phone call in case "Houdini" escaped from his enclosure. The alarm company calls Cristal (who sleeps with her cell phone next to her head). Our friendly neighborhood police happen to have a building right across the street from us and we are within one mile of the fire station. Click here to view web cameras!!

Our boarding is EXTENDED HOUR boarding. Dogs are not crated until 9:15PM. Their last potty break happens around that time and then they are put to bed. We strive to keep your dog on the same schedule that it is used to. We wouldn't keep our dog in a crate for 12 hours so we won't do it to yours! We do not have limited hours on the weekends. Many overnight facilities only open for a couple hours a day both Saturday and Sunday. We feel it is important for your dog to have interaction on the weekends as well as through the week so we are fully staffed from 6:15AM to 9:30PM.

For our clients that work late or have a late meeting we allow late pick ups for $3 per hour, per dog past 7PM.  9PM is the absolute latest pick up since we take our boarders outside for their last potty at 9PM.  We can not come up front once we have let all the dogs out to run around.  Just let us know in advance that you will be picking up late.  Feel free to bring your dogs food and we will feed them dinner!

A few people have asked “Why not cage free?” As with the naptimes dogs need a space to call their own! They are den animals and many will not go into a restorative sleep unless they feel safe and secure and know that no other dog will bother them at night. Restorative sleep means your dog stays healthy and can withstand the activity of a busy daycare environment and be in a LOT better mood because they got a good nights sleep. Owners of active breeds (Weims, Border Collies, Labs, Goldens, etc) must realize that their dog will fall over from complete and utter exhaustion rather than pace themselves in many cases. Dogs should also have their own space to eat. Many dogs are food aggressive or will not eat as much of their food because they are nervous of other dogs milling around. We feed the dogs twice a day, in their own space. They are able to eat and digest their food in peace.

Dog Grooming

We offer a wide array of professional grooming services. The grooming area is large and is completely separate (ventilation-air conditioning and heat) from the daycare and boarding facility. Please click here to be taken to the grooming page for more information.

Dog Training

Training classes are offered by certified pet dog trainer Pat Blocker (CPDT). Basic and advanced obedience classes will be held on Tuesday nights. Individual instruction as well as aggression training can be done offsite. Pat has been training dogs for many years. Helping people bond with, understand and train their animals is the ultimate goal. Please visit her website at www.peacefulpaws.net for more information. Classes are 6 weeks long and average $90.00

Doggie Transport

Wag N Wheels can come to our house and pick up your pooch to go to the vet, the groomer-just about anywhere! Cant make it to daycare one day? They can catch the bus at your house!